Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha has pledged to work closely with the Council of Governors to ensure delivery of quality, affordable and accessible health care services to all Kenyans.
Speaking in Kwale County during a meeting with CoG Health Committee, Nakhumicha said she is keen in ensuring that counties are fully supported to implement health polices and strategies.
“Working closely with the Council of Governors, I envision us sustaining the gains made, while quickly and amicably resolving pending and emerging issues within the outlaid consultative frameworks, and sometimes, ad hoc interactions,” she said.
Nakhumicha noted that Human Resource for Health remains a key asset in service delivery as it drives other health systems building blocks.
“The national government contracted staff under the UHC program continue serving in our counties selflessly. It was resolved that they be absorbed into a permanent workforce when their contracts expire as the experience and trainings they have already acquired will continue to support the County’s health systems.”
“Counties have made different progress in their absorption. Absorption of the remaining staff remains a priority and will be a big boost to ongoing efforts to strengthen health systems for service continuity,” she added.
She also addressed some key accelerator projects in the counties including the Managed Equipment Service (MES) and Health Financing that she submitted will need joint efforts to sustain the gains made during the Universal Health Coverage journey.
Speaking on behalf of AMREF Country Director during the meeting, Gilbert Bwire emphasized on the need to review past experiences and refine future strategic focus areas to address current health challenges.
“I would like to reiterate that working together as stakeholders in the health sector, including the civil society, development partners and communities, gives us an opportunity to review current policies and re-imagine how to build back stronger. This will lay the foundation for more equitable and resilient health systems. I have no doubt that if we stay the course, we are on a journey of unprecedented progress,” said Bwire
Partners present led by USAID Kenya representative John Kuehnle, lauded Kenya’s Health Systems saying it is a success story and pledged to fully support the Ministry in achieving UHC.
The Council of Governors (CoG) Health Committee is currently holding a retreat themed ‘Stepping up Stakeholders Engagement for Accelerated Universal Health Coverage’.
The meeting has brought together representatives of key stakeholders and partners including the Ministry of Health.
